P.M. Barrow assumes Chairmanship of CARICOM

In regional news, as of Thursday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow assumed the Chairmanship of the Caribbean Community. It comes at a most difficult time when the global recession is hurting the economies of the region that are mostly dependent on tourism. In a New Year’s address to be aired locally and on Caribbean media through Channel Five, Barrow says he will use his stint to enhance the alliance between the Central American Integration System, SICA, and CARICOM. He also calls upon the other members of the community to move from talk to action with regards to the C.S.M.E. and proceed to consolidate the operations of the single economy. The P.M.’s speech will air on Channel Five immediately following the newscast. The chairmanship of CARICOM is rotated every six months. The outgoing chair is Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda.